A NEW AWAKENING:
Religion and the Work of Reform
Great crowds are gathering in the fields of Kentucky and the towns of New York. The people call it a Second Great Awakening. The old ways of the church are changing. Preachers like Charles Finney tell us that God does not pick who is saved before they are born. He says that every person has Free Will. You can choose to leave sin behind. You can choose to be saved.
This new way of thinking does not stay in the church. If a man can make himself better, he can make his town better too. We call this Perfectionism. People are no longer waiting for the next world to find peace. They want to end the "national sins" of today. This is why we see so many new groups fighting against liquor, slavery, and the lack of schools.
Our Simple Duty
True faith is found in helping others. We must work for the good of everyone. This is what brings the spirit of reform to our streets.
The fire of the revival is the same fire that moves the abolitionist and the teacher. We are trying to build a better Republic. We use the Bible to guide our laws and our lives. Every soul saved is a step toward a better nation.